Rounded up 6 tubers that wanted to fish Sunday morning. Anytime I get that many guys I'm figuring on a mini tournament to make things more interesting.

The format was $5 bucks each, winner takes all, for the largest single flattie, 24 inches or better.

The crew was made up of myself (bowlboy), my dad glenn, Mike (fishinmike5000), Don (donblaze420), Abel (?) and from down in Glendale, Brian (Calico Bass).

It was an interesting mix as we had Don, Abel and Mike all fishing live bait and me, Glenn and Brian throwing Big Hammers and cranks. It was also Brian's first time float tubing in the salt.

We all launched between 5:45 and 6:00 and us three artifical guys actually fished WSB for the first half hour or so, for no love. In general I would say that the fishing was pretty good for everyone.

I finised up with 10 shorts with 2 about 21.5.
Brian had 5 fish with 1 legal.

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/1409.jpg
His first foat tube legal (released), way to go Brian. Check the scars on that sucker!

Glenn had only 2 fish but they were both legals!
http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/1412.jpg
His first float tube legals. Way to go Glenn!

Last time I checked with them Don had 14 fish with I think1 or 2 legals, but he didn't show up at the weigh in so I guess he didn't have a 24 incher.

Able last time I checked had 5 fish with at least 1 legal that I though was 24 but he didn't show at the weigh in either.

I guess neither of them had something that could contend with Mike's 27 incher! I believe he finshed up with 5 fish and 2 legals.

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/1411.jpg

Live bait Vs. Artificals - The final tally

Live bait 24 fish with 5 legals (I think)
Artificals 17 fish with 3 legals

I'll stick with the plastic!

Bryan

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Hey Bowlboy, good talking to you the other night at Goleta beach. I didn't make it across the slough, the high tide made it about 3' deep or so, and I didn't want to get that wet.

So I followed your lead and went down to fish the harbor and West Beach. I saw a bunch of guys down there including one tuber (might have been you?) and several fly fisherman. I ended up with one short (about 20") halibut.

Sounds like your mini tournament was a success. Hard to believe there are so many fish concentrated in one area and even more surprising that there are still fish left after your tourney! ;-)

Have you guys ever tried deeper water along the pier and/or the tip of the sand bar near the dredging vessel?

** tight lines make all my troubles go away **

Hey dball,

I'm sure that was me you say as I didn't see any other tubers out that night. I had 2 shorts (20 and 14). I almost always release my halibut, I even had one night where I had a 23 a 25 and a 29 all released. I think out of the 10 or so legals caught during our tourney about 4 or 5 were kept. Some of the bait guys fished deeper water with success and yes we do fish the sandbar, in fact the winning fish came from there. I can't remember if you said you had a tube or not but I also surf fish and maybe we can get together one of these days.

Bryan

Whatta great morning of fishing that was! I ended up with 15 fish and about 3 were at the 22" mark. My back was killing me when I finally got out the water so I had to take off. I left my 5$ with Mike and told him to forward it to the applicable winner if someone came in with something bigger than his. Guess not! That was some sweet fishing and I cant wait to do it again. The bite was awesome till about 10:30 when things just died for us. When is the next one gonna be held? Maybe we should make it an annual thing and kick the entry fee up to 10$!!! Just a thought. Lets try Haskells next time. Take it easy.

DBLAZ'

Don,

I am holding one on September 6th - here are the details and rules:
http://www.swimbait.com/derby/

Pete

Man, you guys are getting really good at halibut fishing :)

Sorry I can't make your tournament Pete, we have a Bass-n-Tubes deal that weekend.